Apple has started preparing for its annual back-to-school promotion in the United States and Canada, according to Apple backend code seen by Woozad.
Apple holds a back-to-school sale every June, offering teachers and students free accessories or gift cards when they purchase a Mac or iPad. The added bonus is on top of Apple’s educational discount.
Back to school sales usually start around the middle of the month, but we don’t yet know the start dates for this year’s sales. The sale continues until the end of September, so students don’t need to rush to prepare for their return to school.
Apple back-to-school promotions are varied. Last year, Apple offered eligible students, educators, and parents accessories worth up to $199 when purchasing a Mac or “iPad.” Free options included AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation, Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, Apple Pencil Pro, and more.
A look back at Apple’s past back-to-school dates gives us an idea of ​​when this year’s sale will take place.
- 2021 – June 17 to September 27, free AirPods
- 2022 – June 24 to September 26, gift card up to US$150
- 2023 – June 5 (United States)/June 26 (Canada) to October 2, gift card up to US$150
- 2024 – June 20 to September 30, gift card up to US$150
- 2025 – June 17 to September 30, free accessory valued at up to $199
The back-to-school sale typically takes place around WWDC, and in three of the last five years it has started 8-10 days after the WWDC keynote. With the 2026 keynote scheduled to take place on June 8, we will likely see the sale begin the week of June 15.
Students planning to buy a new Mac or ‌iPad‌ may want to wait until Apple’s back-to-school sale starts to get an extra accessory or gift card.
In past years, MacBooks, iPads, and iMacs were eligible for a free add-on with purchase.
Apple is running the promotion through its online educational store and Apple retail locations. Students attending or accepted into an institution of higher education, parents purchasing on behalf of an eligible student, and employees of elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education are eligible.
Earlier this year, Apple began requiring UNiDAYS verification for educational discounts in the United States and Canada. Educational purchases now require verification of academic status via an educational institution email address, student or staff photo ID, or other valid educational document.
Apple actually has two back-to-school sales a year, including one aimed at students in Australia, New Zealand, and other southern hemisphere markets. During this year’s January Back to School Sale, Apple gave students free AirPods, Apple Pencils, and other accessories.
After back-to-school sales launch in the United States and Canada, Apple typically expands them to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia a few weeks later.
